Springfield Must-Sees?

[Susan Higginbotham]

Because of our recent move, I won't be able to make the upcoming Springfield tour, but I will be coming in mid-October for a short research trip. I'll be visiting the Lincoln house (of course), the old state house, and the railway depot, and I'll be seeing the outside at least of the Herndon firm and the Vachel Lindsay house (Ann Todd Smith's former digs). I plan to spend most of Monday in the presidential library, but I do hope to get to the cemetery to pay my respects.

Any other sites I should make every effort to see? I'll be staying downtown and will be on foot, and I will be under rather severe time constraints. There's always the possibility of a second trip, though.

[Gene C]

If you like old book stores the Prairie Archives is a must. Across from the old courthouse. And a nice little restaurant two or three stores down, The Feed Store. (Not open on Saturdays or Sundays.) There are a lot of historical markers around town to show you where things used to be.

There are a lot of interesting people buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, There is a map on the web site, or you can get one and a written program for$2 in the cemetery office.
http://www.oakridgecemetery.org/tour.html

This might help you.
http://visit-springfieldillinois.com/
Most of the nicer motels in the lobby will have a copy of this for you to pick up.

[Susan Higginbotham]

Great, thanks! I may have to pack an extra suitcase for books . . .

[davg2000]

In addition to what Gene has said, you might consider Edwards Place, at 700 N. Fourth, an acceptable walk from downtown Springfield. Edwards Place, now the home of the Springfield Art Institute, was the home of Benjamin Edwards and Helen Mapes Dodge Edwards. Lincoln attended parties there. Edwards Place also contains the couch that Lincoln and Mary Todd sat on while courting.

If you don't have a car, you will need a city bus to take you to Oak Ridge Cemetery, which is about three miles from the Old Courthouse.

[Susan Higginbotham]

(09-28-2016 06:58 AM)davg2000 Wrote:  In addition to what Gene has said, you might consider Edwards Place, at 700 N. Fourth, an acceptable walk from downtown Springfield. Edwards Place, now the home of the Springfield Art Institute, was the home of Benjamin Edwards and Helen Mapes Dodge Edwards. Lincoln attended parties there. Edwards Place also contains the couch that Lincoln and Mary Todd sat on while courting.

If you don't have a car, you will need a city bus to take you to Oak Ridge Cemetery, which is about three miles from the Old Courthouse.

Thanks! I'll definitely put that on the list.